KAREN HURWITZ & ASSOCIATES Behavioral Consulting is designed to help law firms and corporate legal departments promote and improve organizational health and productivity. Our services involve using a pair of clinically trained and experienced outside eyes to help firms identify and resolve internal issues, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the firm.

Internal issues may involve an individual with a challenging personality that is causing others distress. Perhaps that individual would benefit from some coaching sessions. Maybe there is a section of the firm that feels they are not sufficiently valued and there is talk of a split off. A discussion or focus group with the section would allow for an exchange of views in a private setting which could then be summarized for management while simultaneously maintaining the confidentiality of the attorneys.

All firms have internal issues - - we are human. Issues are not bad in and of themselves. They become a problem and begin to undermine a firm when there is an inability or unwillingness to acknowledge them and attempt to resolve them. Issues can arise around a myriad of relationships and topics within the firm, for example between an associate and his supervising partner or between partners. Likewise, there are the longstanding concerns with gender equality, diversity, high attrition rates and billable hour requirements. And there is always the need to think about the firm’s future and to chart new goals for the changing legal landscape.

The costs associated with unresolved issues are real and the resolution of such issues need not be so difficult. With intense competition and economic slowdown it is not just about maintaining a baseline as a good firm; it is about growing stronger. Resolving internal issues is not necessarily about being a great lawyer. In fact, it is often about being willing to set legal skills aside and to consider thinking about issues through a different lens.

Behavioral Consulting is not therapy; it is, however, performed by a trained and experienced therapist. Behavioral consulting provides a process and a forum to help resolve internal issues. When firms have a process to gather information from concerned individuals or groups then issues can more readily be identified and resolved in a collaborative manner rather than sweeping them under the rug and hoping they go away.

Some of the approaches used to gather information and resolve issues include individual discussions and brainstorming sessions, group discussions, survey of attitudes and coaching. We also speak with lawyers on various topics, including how to attract new clients and maintain good relationships with current ones, as well as how to deal with stress, burnout and depression.

Management may be surprised at how the willingness to hear and collaborate on the resolution of internal issues can make a difference in attitudes, desire to work and quality of work. Let KAREN HURWITZ & ASSOCIATES help your office become a healthier and more productive place to work.